Saturday, October 27, 2007

Don't Be A Wuss

Cook your meat in a fire.

Viking style.

While there, check out the 10 manliest video games ever.

But don't blame me if you are offended by this offering.

Foot In Mouth

Does anyone stick his foot in his mouth more often than Sen. Joe Biden? Maybe he should stick to plagerism. All of his original comments typically require his people to issue a clarification.

The latest, in an interview in which Biden criticizes President Bush on education, he then tries to explain why the D.C. has such a poor school system:

"There's less than 1 percent of the population of Iowa that is African American. There is probably less than 4 or 5 percent that are minorities. What is in Washington? So look, it goes back to what you start off with, what you're dealing with," Biden said.

The retraction and re-explanation:

The Biden campaign moved quickly to clarify the senator's remarks in a statement: "This was not a race-based distinction, but a discussion of the problems kids face who don't have the same socio-economic support system (and all that implies -- nutrition, pre K, etc.) entering grade school and the impact of those disadvantages on outcomes."

Fair enough, Senator. Let's correct your quote:

There's less than 1 percent of the population of Iowa that is [don't have the same socio-economic support system (and all that implies -- nutrition, pre K, etc.)]. There is probably less than 4 or 5 percent that are [don't have the same socio-economic support system (and all that implies -- nutrition, pre K, etc.)] What is in Washington? So look, it goes back to what you start off with, what you're dealing with.

Uh, yeah. Iowa has less than 1 percent (and, at the same time, less than 4 or 5 percent) of kids that have some socio-economic disadvantage. That's what you meant.

Biden then picks on Pakistan.

On foreign policy, his area of expertise, he said, "I'm a hell of a lot more worried about Pakistan," which already has nuclear weapons, as opposed to Iran, which is still working on nuclear enrichment, a possible step on the way to developing them. "I wish we'd pay as much attention to Pakistan as the saber rattling we're doing with Iran," Biden said.

I understand why Biden mentioned the threat of Pakistan. He was obviously reaching out to voters from Pakistan's rival, India. After all, Indians are a fast growing demographic in Biden's home state Delaware, at least according to this quote from Biden:

"In Delaware, the largest growth of population is Indian-Americans, moving from India. You cannot go to a 7/11 or a Dunkin' Donuts unless you have a slight Indian accent. I’m not joking."

We are pretty sure you weren't Senator.

Great New Quote

BEST RECENT QUOTE BY POLITICIAN

A friend told me about this McCain quote at the office on Friday. I confirmed it on several websites.

Thought I'd share.

It is really a classic.

"Hillary tried to get a million dollars for the Woodstock museum. I understand it was a major cultural and pharmaceutical event. I couldn't attend. I was tied up at the time." - John McCain

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Hot Time In The City

Philadelphia, without a sports champion since Dr. J led the 76ers in 1983, and known for its brotherly love, if you consider throwing batteries as sports teams, booing Mike Schmidt and throwing snow balls at Santa Clause as brotherly love, now must accept losing yet again.

Philadelphia has been voted by Travel and Leisure magazine to have the least attractive people in the country. Ok, technically, it came in 25th on the list of attractiveness. Out of 25. Miami came in first on attractiveness, with San Diego second, though many people think the hottest people live in San Diego.

Philadelphia did pick up the pace on cleanliness (22 of 25) and safety (23 of 25).


A curious one for me: New Orleans ranked as the 2nd friendliest city, well ahead of San Diego. Yet, San Diego seems to have the edge on using sports stadiums for natural disaster evacuations:

Like Hurricane Katrina evacuees two years earlier in New Orleans, thousands of people rousted by natural disaster fled to the NFL stadium here, waiting out the calamity and worrying about their homes.

The similarities ended there, as an almost festive atmosphere reigned at Qualcomm Stadium. Bands belted out rock 'n' roll, lavish buffets served gourmet entrees, and massage therapists helped relieve the stress for those forced to flee their homes because of wildfires.

Not even one report of cannibalism.

Atlanta, which was ranked in the teens in most categories, pulled in a big number 6 on barbecue.
We were robbed.

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In other news

Lest we forget, the Clintons have a history that should make one pause in the Democratic primary. It won't though.

Some people smoke because it keeps them skinnier. Not so says another anti-smoking groups' study run through a University (keep in mind that if a study were funded by tobacco and found smoking did cause you to be skinnier, it would be untrustworthy). Smoking mice are smaller and eat less, but they are also less muscular. This is supposed to make you not want to smoke. Like bigger and fat is the same as smaller and fat?

President William J. Clinton is now considering Singapore on his short list of vacation spots.

Chuck Norris has endorsed Mike Huckabee for President. If you do not know who Chuck Norris is, then read this. And pray he doesn't kill you tonight.

Read this. Warning -- Christianity mentioned.

Thursday, October 18, 2007

More Reasons To Privatize Social Security

It obviously is not enough to keep people from coming out of retirement.

Consider the latest group that had to come out of retirement because social security could not pay the bills:


Evander Holyfield

Beautiful Atrocities

Wuzzadem



And of course, the Ebb & Flow Institute.

Except for Evander, it is great to have you each back.

We will be watching Villainous Company closely. Heating that lake house can't be easy on the checkbook.

Thursday's Thoughts

A woman is cited for disorderly conduct. For yelling profanity. In her own home. At her toilet.

In other news, her boss says that she will not be punished for her run in with the law. On the contrary, she may be promoted for being good for morale.

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Not all criminals are idiots. This guy seemed to have a pretty clever gig going.


Gibson was driving a stolen box trailer, taken from Central Food Equipment on Reynolds Road in Lakeland in 2005, deputies said. The trailer had been outfitted with two tanks with a capacity of 3,250 gallons of fuel.

Gibson rigged a trap door in the bottom of the trailer and parked over the underground fuel tanks at gas stations. Deputies said he would drop a hose into the tanks and use marine batteries to pump the gas into the trailer.

He would unload the fuel into larger tanks at his business, Crews Towing, at the Recker Highway property, authorities said. Gibson would sell the fuel at $1.80 a gallon, authorities said.


Who wants to bet he got caught because he was reselling the gas too cheap?

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Alabama man finds a better way to get his house cleaned than hiring the nearest illegal alien. He catches a burglar in the act, and makes him clean the house at gun point.

Adrian McKinnon held the suspect -- Tajuan Bullock, 33, of 2963 University Drive -- at gunpoint and told him to sit on the floor until he de­cided what he was going to do, she said.

"We made this man clean up all the mess he made, piles of stuff, he had thrown out of my drawers and cabi­nets onto the floor," she said.

Once police arrived, Bul­lock complained to them about being forced at gun­point to clean up the home.

"This man had the nerve to raise sand about us mak­ing him clean up the mess he made in my house," she said. "The police officer laughed at him when he complained and said anybody else would have shot him dead.

"That made the man shut up."


What a beautiful story. I love it when people get to serve as their own judge and jury.

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Why do I send my children to private school, you ask?

A school board on Wednesday approved birth control pills and patches for students at a middle school in Portland, Maine. Condoms were already available.

The sixth through eighth grade students at King Middle School will be able to get the contraceptives at their student health center.

Opponents cited religious and health objections. Supporters said students often can't discuss sexuality with their parents.


Imagine that! A sixth grader being hasseled by his parents over a few birth control pills. These knuckle draggin neanderthal parents just slay me.

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And now, for those fast hitting news stories you seek at the beginning of the newscast.

In sports, how do the Colorado Rockies keep winning, you ask? Ask their new player - God.

Today's non-Vick cruelty to animals award goes to some guy in England. Wow. I can't condone it. I mustn't. Won't do it.

In weather, Florida storms destroy a church day care and a beer tent at an Oktoberfest. Oh the humanity! (For either one, I reckon.)

Day (Season) 7 is coming (note the new address). Sometime. The new trailer comes out in Times Square on October 25. Even if Hillary is elected, Jack will protect us.

For Camojack: new 24 cast member Carly Pope:



Yeah, it would have been better if she were holding a beer or riding a motorcycle. You can't have everything. Where would you put it?

Finally, if you think the Feds are getting soft on punishment, read this legal yarn about Amtrak.

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

How Long We Work

I really miss blogging like I used to. Truth is, a 60 plus hour work week protecting the man, two baseball seasons for the oldest (and I'm head coach, which means leaving work at 4pm on game nights), 35 children's birthday parties, and an infant just get in the way of internet surfing. I'm not even reading as much as I used to, and certainly not commenting like I used to.

A lot happened since my last post. Cassandra called it a career, for now, by shutting down the best general purpose blog on the internet, Villainous Company. And all she left us was a small taste of her brilliance. As Johnny Lang once sang, I look out my window, but it's still raining.

On the good news, the Ebb & Flow Institute has turned on the lights again. Pile On may just be campaigning, but his answers to some fast talking interrogation make you realize what a great President he would be.

Of course, I guess we should be thankful for the calm, even flow of Heigh Ho.

Well, I guess I'll talk about sports now.

It's almost too much just to keep up with the Kentucky Wildcat football team, which rocks this year and is currently #7 in the first BSC poll. Sorry about that LSU! NOT!

If you have a Heisman pick, here is your man: Andre Woodson (picture above).

Although no one will believe me, I picked the Rockies to win it all this year (well, I picked them at the beginning of the playoffs -- not in March). Getting to the playoffs by winning 16 of 17 or whatever it was convinced me. Always pick the team on the roll in baseball. I can't say I'm sorry the Mets imploded like a bad cake either. I would have liked my Braves to make it. Maybe next year.

My daughter's t-ball team which I manage much in the same vein as a collie herds cats finished the regular season 8-3-1, tied for the best record in the league. Now for the pressure cooker double elimination playoffs. The trophy size is based on the playoffs only. Oh, and of the 4 games we didn't win, I was unable to be there for 3 of them. Hey, I'm not Crash Davis. Somebody call The Sporting News.

In popular culture, I continue to wonder how Brittney fell so far. And that fall was after Crossroads. What a shame.

In real news, a student was suspended for simply suggesting that college students might should be allowed to carry concealed weapons. Regardless of how you feel about his idea, simply suggesting a change in policy is not a threat, nor is it insane. A case can be made for his position. Yet, to get back into school, he must undergo a psychological evaluation.

Yeah, a psychological evaluation over a political opinion on peacefully carrying concealed weapons. The biggest thought police tyrants occupy many of our colleges and universities. Of course, had he made outrageously untrue scientific claims, called President Bush bad names and called for the elimination of capitalism, he might win a Nobel Peace Prize.

Speaking of which -- what does global warming have to do with world peace? No - really. The Nobel Peace Prize geniuses that gave the award to two of the worst leaders in history (Arafat and Carter) offered an explanation. (See here -- read the second paragraph.) It is so ridiculous, I don't think even a lawyer could say it with a straight face.

I may be guest blogging at EFI as well. Keep checking here and there every so often.

Thursday, April 19, 2007

Random Thoughts (It's About Time)

Thought I'd post tonight. How y'all doing?

First, let's deal with Imus. Dumb thing to say. Rude, also.

The real tragedy is that he gave Rutgers all this free press, when the real story was as always Tennessee. First, Tennessee won, Rutgers lost. Yet because of Imus, the LOSERS got all the press.

I watched the NCAA women's championship game, and as always (except when they are playing my real team, UK) I rooted for the Lady Vols. I think Pat Summitt is awesome. If my daughter is ever offered a scholarship by Pat Summitt, she will take it, or I will kick her arse up I-75 all the way to Knoxville. I otherwise hate Tennessee. Nothing sucks like a big orange, but Pat Summitt is what Bobby Knight could have been with a little self control and class.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Next we have abortion. Partial birth, that is. The Supreme Court refused to declare unconstitutional a law that banned partial birth abortion. The 5-4 ruling gave some coniptions.

As Best of Web reports:
[T]he New York Times, whose editorial on the subject was typically hysterical:

The justices went so far as to eviscerate the crucial requirement, which dates to the 1973 ruling in Roe v. Wade, that all abortion regulations must have an exception to protect a woman's health.

As far as we know, [Justice Anthony] Kennedy and his four colleagues responsible for this atrocious result are not doctors. Yet these five male justices felt free to override the weight of medical evidence presented during the several trials that preceded the Supreme Court showdown.
BOW continued:


For her part, Justice O'Connor, then the swing vote on the Court, drew a virtual roadmap for legislators to follow in passing a constitutional ban. And as far as we know, Justice O'Connor isn't a doctor either!

Meanwhile,
CNN quotes one top male Democratic lawmaker who opposes yesterday's ruling: "A lot of us wish that Alito weren't there and O'Connor were there," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, who opposed Alito's nomination, said.

Yet Reid voted for the law the court upheld. As far as we know, Harry Reid isn't a doctor, so why is he giving second opinions?
Several points here. First, many of the Supreme Court justices actually, technically, are doctors.
Like medical school students who earn an M.D. and graduate school students in any number of academic disciplines who earn a Ph.D., most law school students also receive a doctoral degree—juris doctor, to be precise. * * * *

ABA Model Code of Professional Responsibility. Disciplinary Rule 2-102 permitted a J.D. or LL.M. (master of law) recipient to use doctor with his or her name, the committee concluded in ABA Informal Opinion 1152 (1970). * * * *

The committee advised, however, that it may be misleading for a lawyer to use doctor in certain contexts, such as advertising legal services relating to medical malpractice . . . .
Or, it appears, in ruling on cases involving abortion.

Next point, what is up with Reid voting for a law, then criticizing the Supreme Court for upholding it? Who does he think he is? President Bush (you know, McCain-Feingold)?

Finally, here is what Justice Ginsberg had to say at the conclusion of her dissent:
In candor, the Act, and the Court’s defense of it, cannot be understood as anything other than an effort to chip away at a right declared again and again by this Court— and with increasing comprehension of its centrality to women's lives.
And isn't that the problem, really? The Court has "declared" this "right" again and again. And not once was this right declared in the actual Constitution.

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Alex Baldwin is being made to look like a tool by his wife's divorce attorney.
After Ireland failed to answer her father's scheduled morning phone call from
New York on April 11, Alec went berserk on her voice mail, saying "Once again, I
have made an ass of myself trying to get to a phone," adding, "you have insulted
me for the last time." Switching his train of thought, Baldwin then exercised his incredible parenting skills and took a shot at his ex-wife, declaring, "I don't give a damn that you're 12-years-old or 11-years-old, or a child, or that your mother is a thoughtless pain in the ass who doesn't care about what you
do." The irate Baldwin went on to say, "You've made me feel like s**t" and threatened to "straighten your ass out."
In fairness to Baldwin, I'm sure there is more to this than meets the eye. People can be quite manipulative in custody cases, and Baldwin might have good reason to be irate.

But before I get soft, let's take a walk down memory lane with Alec Baldwin:
[Baldwin is] the guy that in December 1998 urged that House Judiciary Committee Chairman Henry Hyde be stoned to death and his family killed. That's what he said while a guest on the "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" show.

"If we were living in another country, what we, all of us together, would go down to Washington and stone Henry Hyde to death, stone him to death, stone him to death!" said Baldwin. "Then we would go to their house and we'd kill the family, kill the children."

[Then there is the] Hollywood fund-raiser he threw for Clinton in August 1998. He almost called it off at the last minute. Why? He learned that the White House organizers were preparing foie gras.

An angry Baldwin called up the Democratic National Committee bigwigs demanding that this outrage be stopped. You see, to make foie gras, geese are force-fed to enlarge their livers. The Baldwins are animal rights wackos. Making geese eat too much is bad. Stoning politicians you disagree with and advocating the killing of their families is good. Get it? Any questions?

Listen to what he told Movies USA in March of that year about his political demons: "I talk about these things because I'm committed and when I'm done I feel kind of disgusted with myself. Sitting in a coffee shop and talking about it is not committed. I think once or twice a month I lie in bed at night and think how I'd like to find a militant organization -- like some Black Panther or IRA equivalent -- that revolved around some important cause and go out and blow up some chemical plant. Really put my a-- on the line. One of the most significant differences I see between the right wing and the left wing is that in this country, the right wing's fanatical assassins -- they have better aim."

I was right the first time. He is a tool.

==============================================================

Guiliani may not know how much milk and bread costs . . .

But when asked about more mundane matters — like the price of some basic staples — Giuliani had trouble with a reporter’s question. “A gallon of milk is probably about a $1.50, a loaf of bread about a $1.25, $1.30,” he said.

A check of the Web site for D’Agostino supermarket on Manhattan’s Upper East Side showed a gallon of milk priced at $4.19 and a loaf of white bread at $2.99 to $3.39. In Montgomery, Ala., a gallon of milk goes for about $3.39 and bread is about $2.


but apparently Edwards doesn't know how much to pay for a haircut.

Quad-City barbers put down their shears and sputtered words like “preposterous” and “impossible” Wednesday when they heard of Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards spending $400 for a haircut. In the Quad-Cities, $10 or $12 is about average.
In fairness to Rudy, he was a little low on the milk (about 50% low), but bread costs are highly variable based on brand, type and whether you have a Kroger Plus Card. You can get bread for $1.25 a loaf. John Edwards on the other hand was about 40 times too much for the cost of a hair cut. Two Americas indeed.

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Back to Imus. Race is a big issue again. I read the book Blink recently. It is about the subconscious and cognitive thinking in a fraction of a second. In it, the author discusses a test that measures (allegedly) your subconscious attitudes about race (positive and negative). The test can be taken on line here. When I read Blink, I didn't think the test sounded all that solid to me. It seemed to me that the order in which you take different parts of the test would impact the outcome. After taking the test, I learned that I had a "moderate preference for African-American over European-American."

Either the test is as weak as I thought before I took it, or I'm not a racist and you (probably-take the test and find out) are.

I have nothing profound to say about the murders at Virginia Tech except that I'm glad all of my friends with friends and family there are okay.

Spd was one of those people. He is worth reading. My prayers are with you all.

Tuesday, January 09, 2007

The Little Stuff

Just a few things to ponder.

It is unconstitutional in New Jersey for "idiots" to vote. No, really.

State Senate President Richard Codey introduced a bill Monday that would remove language from the New Jersey constitution that was designed more than 150 years ago to prevent people suffering from mental illness or handicap from casting their vote in national, state or local elections.

Codey wants to eliminate a section that says "no idiot or insane person should enjoy the right of suffrage" and substitute with a reference to "a person who has been adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction to lack the capacity to understand the act of voting."


Codey went on to say that had this law been enforced, he never would have been elected to office in the first place.

In related news, a decade ago, the Republicans were pushing to eliminate the Department of Education and give local schools more control. Thanks to our "conservative" President, the Federal government now controls our local schools more than ever before. And the law is up for renewal. I wonder how the Democrats will treat the bill.

In other news, Saddam's cat is in need of adoption. See photo to left.

Feel like being pissed off? Read this. Remember, conservatives are crazy, death obsessed, and irrational.

Speaking of New Orleans, near New Orleans, illegal alien Africanized killer bees are taking jobs away from the American bees.

President Bush says that Amercian bees don't want the job, but once the African bees were removed, American bees lined up for blocks to get jobs in honey production.

Scorpions on a Plane! Starring, ... oh never mind.

One word: WUSS! Don't give me that equal rights crap. This man is a disgrace.

SPANKING!

In Arizona, corporal punishment is alive and well. The Gators spent the evening spanking until it hurt the Buckeyes.

Florida 41

"The" Ohio State University 14

First point, the SEC rules.

Second point: The only undefeated team: Boise State University.

As I said, Boise State should be number 1. Congrats, however, to the insufferable Gator fans. They are the first school in history to hold both the Men's basketball and football NCAA championships at the same time.

Bowl Championship Series my ass.

Monday, January 08, 2007

Baseball Hall of Fame

Tomorrow we find out who made it into the Baseball Hall of Fame, and who got screwed, maybe for the first time, or again. Making the Hall is tough. First, you only get voted on by lots of whiney, self important little sports writers. Talk about holding a grudge. It's like that girl you didn't call your freshman year. They never forget it when you didn't give them a post game interview, and they vote against you forever. Just ask Jim Rice. Then, you have to get 75% of the vote. That is constitutional amendment tough, folks. Still, some people inexplicably get in, and other can't seem to break through.

Anywho, I turned in my ballot. Here is who I voted to induct into the Hall of Fame:

1. Tony Gwynn. A no brainer on everyone's ballot. The best hitter since Ted Williams. I once read where he swung and missed a pitch only 19 times in an entire year. He won 8 batting titles, hit .350+ 5 years in a row, blah blah blah. Puleze girlfriend.

2. Cal Ripken, Jr. Personally, I think Cal Ripkin is overrated. Don't go bonkers here on me. Overrated doesn't mean he isn't good. It is a statement about the people who talk about him. Ripken was a great player and deserving of the Hall. I just think writers fall all over themselves to hyperbolize his career because he was such a nice guy. Still, he is the only SS to win 2 MVPs, and he turned the SS into a hitter's position. His ironman streak was icing on the cake to a great, Hall of Fame career.

3. Jim Rice. This guy is the opposite of Cal Ripken. Sportswriters hated him and continue to punish him. His longevity numbers might be borderline for some players (just under 400 HR and 3,000 hits), but he put up his dominant numbers in a short career. But he dominated for 11 years with both power and average. He was a great player during that time. In those 11 seasons, Rice led the AL in home runs, RBI, runs scored, slugging and extra-base hits. And the only hitter even close in most of those departments was George Brett. It was long enough. Vote him in.

4. Dave Conception. For a while, I didn't think he deserved in the Hall. I've changed my mind. People need to remember that shortstops didn't become big hitters until recently (see, Ripken, above). The first recent SS to be a hitter was Cal Ripken, and now we have tons of power hitting, high average SS (Tejada, Jeter, A-Rod for a while, etc.). Conception played in a different era. He is one of only 14 SS to play 2000 games and collect 2000 hits. He won 5 Gold Gloves and his offensive and defensive numbers (.972 to .978 fielding percentage) were comparable to Ozzie Smiths, the only SS considered better than Conception in his day. He was also on a winner, the Big Red Machine, and a big reason why they were winners. The best SS in the majors for part of his career, and second best after Ozzie Smith came around. It may sound like grading on the curve, but that is worthy.

5. Goose Gossage. For a while, I too considered Goose's numbers not worthy. But he, like Sutter last year, pioneered the modern closer. Like Sutter, and unlike today's closers, he pitched fewer games and more relief innings per game, but he was one of the dominant pitchers of his day for a decade. In fact, he was better than Sutter, who was voted in last year, and had a longer career. Hall of Famers are to be judged by their era, and in Goose's era, he was the relief pitcher everyone wanted. He belongs.

6. Mark McGwire. McGwire is the controversy this year. Did he cheat? Well, if that means use steroids, most likely. Of course, baseball didn't have a rule then, not that it should matter. The numbers, though, put him in the Hall. He was a 12 time all-star, broke the major league home run record for a single season, is the all-time leader home run to at-bat ratio (1:10.6) in major league history, and even won a gold glove. The guy clearly had talent, hitting 49 home runs in his rookie season before showing any signs of being juiced. He is 7th on the all-time home run list with 583. He was also a genuinely good saleman for the game, especially during the come back of the major leagues in 1998. He ruined his good will with his Congressional testimony, but I can't refuse to vote for the guy. His looking bad isn't grounds for denying the guy his due. I wish I could say it was, but it isn't. Unlike McGwire, I truely despise Barry Bonds, but unless he gets indicted or tests positive for roids, I'll argue for his induction, too. Unlike Rose and Shoeless Joe, McGwire is on the ballot. It is an uncomfortable vote. This guy explains my feelings best on the subject. If Gaylord Perry, who did videos showing how he cheated, can be in the Hall, so can McGwire. His numbers can't be denied.

That is it for me. Several guys up this year were really good players whom I just can't seem to get over the hump. The closest two are Blyleven and Dawson. It wouldn't bother me in the least to see them inducted, even though Dawson was a stuck being a loser playing for the loser Cubs who suck.

The Pitchers.

Tommy John is a close call, and an argument can be made. I mean, they named the most important surgery after the guy. Tommy John surgery and Lou Gerhig's disease are the biggest contributions to medicine by major league baseball.

Jack Morris is hard to say no to. If I were in a World Series, he is one of a handful of pitchers I would give anything to start for my team. I don't think the career numbers are there.

Bert Blyleven also is a closer call. Perhaps the closest. He has great career longevity, so his career numbers match up well.

Position players.

Dale Murphy is another I really want to be in the Hall, but I wouldn't vote for him. He was a dominant player for about 5 years, and won back-to-back MVP awards in 82-83. The reason McGuire is a controversy is because baseball, unlike football, has a 'character' consideration in its rules. In other words, in evaluating a player, voters are supposed to consider character. Because Murphy is borderline (399 career HR, just shy of the nearly universally accepted 400 mark), it is often argued that his character should push him over the top. I don't think he makes it, and I can't see using the fact that he is a good guy make up for the lack of longevity in his numbers. I guess I'm afraid of grade inflation, and I see him, Tommy John, as well as Andre Dawson and Steve Garvey.

Jose Conseco is for me a tough call, especially after casting the vote for his former teammate McGwire. The guy had some great numbers. He hit 462 HR, which is 30th all time, won an MVP and Rookie of the Year award, started the still rare 40-40 club (players with 40 HR and 40 SB in same season). He makes me feel too icky, and his 'dominant' career wasn't long enough for me. The HR has a different meaning in Canseco's era. Plus, he has admitted to cheating and being an all around dispicable person. At least with McGwire, there remains some doubt.